Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Among Primary School Children in Rania City, Iraq

Background and Objectives: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has become a critical public health issue globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Rania City, Iraq.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among primary school children in Rania City, Iraq. A cluster random sampling method was used to select ten schools, including 3,137 children. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and sociodemographic data for a random sample of 70 obese children were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 23).Results: The study found that 53.6% of children were within the normal weight range, 16.6% were overweight, and 13.2% were obese. Most participants were male (51.1%). Overweight (21.2%) and obesity (15%) were most prevalent in the younger age group (6-9 years). Regarding the parents of obese children, 35.7% of fathers and 34.3% of mothers had only a primary school education. Additionally, 50% of fathers were employed, while 75.7% of mothers were homemakers. Most families (81.4%) reported a barely sufficient economic status.Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Rania City is alarmingly high. Socioeconomic factors, including parental education and occupation, are significant determinants of these conditions.